Shopping and traveling bag purses



Nov. 20, 1956 E. A. INGRAM 2,

SHOPPING AND TRAVELING BAG PURSES Filed Feb. 7, 1955 2 SheetsSheet l 7 IN V EN TOR. ELIZABETH ALLEAN /N6/?AM Nov. 20, 1956 E. A. INGRAM SHOPPING AND TRAVELING BAG PURSES 2 Sheets$heet 2 Filed Feb. '7, 1-955 M mm M Na W a BY w,

SHOPPING AND TRAVELING BAG PURSES Elizabeth Allean Ingram, Cincinnati, Ohio Application February 7, 1955, Serial No. 486,352

4 Claims. (Cl. 150-35) This invention relates to womens hand bags and more particularly to shopping bag or traveling bag purses.

An object of this invention is to provide a womans hand bag adapted for use as a hand bag, as a shopping bag, or as an overnight bag, and which is readily and easily convertible at any time for any one of the various uses.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bag of the foregoing character which is handsome in appearance and the convertible nature of which is not obvious.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bag of the above character having a pocket for receiving and substantially concealing a handle portion thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bag of the above character having a hollow handle and a central banding extension thereof encircling the body of the bag and adapted to receive and conceal items which are valuable or the disclosure of which to public View might prove embarrassing or dangerous.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hand bag of the abov character having a tubular body provided with a tubular lining, an interlining, an outwardly facing lateral pocket extending into said tubular body intermediate the ends thereof, and a seam substantially dividing said body into oppositely facing pockets, said seam terminating adjacent the bottom of the lateral pocket for preserving communication between corresponding pairs of cavities defined in said purse body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a purse of the above character having means for providing access to the space between the lining and the interlining, and also means for providing access to the space between the interlining and the purse body, each of said spaces being substantially divided into two compartments one of which is remote from the access means and which is accessible only through a communication passage adjacent the transverse pocket which projects into the purs body for concealing the secret, and relatively inaccessible depository for valuables and the like.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains, from the following detailed description, and the drawings, in which:

Figur l is a view in perspective of a bag embodying a form of this invention and in condition for use as a womans hand bag;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the hand bag shown in Fig. 1, in condition for use as a shopping bag or travel ing bag with the carrying handle thereof projecting in operative relation to the bag which is in extended condition;

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal transverse section of the bag shown in Fig. 2, and taken along the line IIIIII in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section of the handle of the bag shown in Fig. 2, and taken along the line IVIV in Fig. 2; and

nite tates Patent Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in transverse section of the bag shown in Fig. 2, taken along the line VV in Fig. 2.

In the drawings I have illustrated a hand bag 10 embodying my invention, in what presently appears to be a preferred form. The hand bag 10 has an elongate multiply tubular body 11, comprising a cover 12, a tubular interlining 13 within the cover, and an elongate tubular lining 14 within the body and the interlining. The end edges of cover 12, interlining 13, and lining 14 can be joined together as by means of binding 15 folded over the edges, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and stitched in place to secure the cover, interlining, lining and binding in fixed relation to each other with the raw edges thereof enclosed and protected against raveling. The elongate tubular body comprising elements 12, 13, and 14 may be made by cutting two duplicate members each, from a suitable cover material, also from interlining material, and also from lining material. Each of the six elements being substantially rectangular in shape and having a projecting tab portions 16' extending medially from one edge thereof. The six elements are then stacked in registry with a lining element, an interlining element, a pair of body elements in face-to-face relation with their outer faces abutting, an interlining element, and finally a lining element in that sequence from the bottom to the top of the stack. The six elements, aligned in registry, may be sewn together by a row of stitches forming seam 17 extending in closely spaced parallel relation to the edges 18 of the elements from which the tab portion 16 projects. The central portion of the seam 17 being disposed adjacent the marginal free edges of the tabs 16' to form a pocket 16. A second seam 17 is taken adjacent the edge 18' opposite the edge 18. The tubular member 11 thus formed is turned inside out to place the body cover elements exteriorly and the lining elements interiorly thereof, and to place the edges 18 and 18 adjacent the rows of stitching forming seams 17 and 17', interiorly of the tubular member. Thereafter, the binding 15 may be applied annuiarly about each month of the tubular member, as described above. The body member 11 is then flattened with the seams 17 and 17' disposed at the fold lines and a row of stitches forming seam 19 is taken through the several layers of the cover, interlining, and lining. The row of stitches forming seam 19 extends perpendicularly from the center of seam 17' toward tab pocket 16 and terminates at a point 20 spaced from the seam 17 a distance slightly greater than the distance said tab pocket 16 projects beyond said seam to permit pocket 16 to project into tubular body member 11 for substantially closing the passage disposed between point 20 and seam 17 and communicating between the oppositely facing pockets 21 and 22 in body 11.

As illustrated most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the mouths of pockets 21 and 22 are provided with closure means such as slide fasteners 23 and 24, respectively, disposed adjacent the edge of bindings 15 within the respective pockets. As shown in Fig. 3, the tape portions 23' and 24' of the slide fasteners may be secured to body 11 by means of stitches forming seams 25 which also secure bindings 15, cover 12, interlining 13 and lining 14 together. I prefer to provide elongate apertures in lining 14 and interlining 13 and closure means therefor, as shown most :clearly in Fig. 3. The portion of the lining 14 lining pocket 21 is provided with a pair of elongate apertures 26 and 26. closable by slide fasteners 27 and 27', respectively, which extend substantially parallel to and spaced from binding 15. When slide fastener 27 is opened, access may be had to pocket or compartment 28 between lining 14 and interlining 13 and substantially bounded by seams 17, 17', 19 and 25 and also to communicating compartment or pocket 29 through the passage 30 adjacent and partially or substantially filled by pocket 16. In a similar manner access may be had to the two interconnecting comparments or pockets 28' and 29' when slide fastener 27 is in open position. I also prefer to provide a slide fastener 31 for closing an elongate aperture 32 in interlining 13 and prefer that same be disposed nearer to the row of stitches forming seam 25 than slide fastener 27. Thus, when slide fastener 27 is opened, the presence of slide fastener 31 is not apparent, as a portion 33 of lining 14 serves to cover and conceal same. When slide fastener 31 is opened, a pair of communicating compartments 34 and 35 are accessible therethrough, and joined by passageway 34'.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, the passages through which communication is established between the several pairs of pockets are substantially held in collapsed or closed condition by pocket 16 which substantially fills the space between end 20 of seam 19 and seam 17. However, when access is desired, pocket 16 may be swung to one side or it may be turned inside out.

To provide a handle and decorative body encircling band for concealing the seam 19, I provide an elongate tubular member 36 flattened to somewhat oval cross section. The free ends of member 36 may be secured to body 11 centrally of seam therein at the time the stitches 17' are taken incident to assembly of body 11. Member 36 encircles body 11, as illustrated in Fig. 2, with a portion thereof adapted to serve as a handle projecting beyond seam 17 opposite the mouth of pocket 16. I prefer to secure member 36 to body 11 adjacent the mouth of pocket 16, by means of rows of stitches forming seams 38 and 38', as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 5. Portions 39 and 39 bounded respectively by seams 38 and 17', and 38' and 17', lie snugly against the face of body 11 to give the appearance of a decorative band and hold same in concealing relation to seam 19, as illustrated most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. I prefer to provide elongate apertures, having slide fasteners 40 and 40' for closing same in the portions 39 and 39 adjacent body 11 and substantially parallel to scam 19 to provide concealed pockets or receptacles 44 and 44' within band portions 39 and 39'. I further prefer that any seams in member 36 be disposed in face-to-face relation with cover 11 to preserve the apparent solely decorative char acter of band 36. The handle portion 41 of member 36 between and bounded by seams 38 and 38 serves as a loop-like handle for carrying the hand bag when in the extended condition shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4 I prefer to provide an aperture in the face of handle portion 41 opposite the mouth of pocket 16. The aperture provides access to receptacle cavity 44" and is closable by means of slide fastener 42.

Pocket 16 may serve as a receptacle for small items such as a coin purse, smokers accessories and supplies or the like, when the bag is in the condition shown in Fig. 2. In order to place the bag in the condition shown in Fig. 1, pocket 16 serves as a receptacle for receiving and storing in an inconspicuous fashion, handle portion 41 which may be folded and tucked into pocket 16 with the result that member 36 adjacent seams 17 and 17 appear deceptively similar. In order that the bag 10 may be held in the condition shown in Fig. l, I provide suitable securing means such as snap fasteners 43, as illustrated in Fig. 2. When the elements of snap fasteners 43 are in engagement the adjacent portions of binding are held in substantially face-to-face relationship and the handbag assumes the form of a pouch type bag, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the drawings it is apparent that the transfer of items from one pocket to another through the communicating passages adjacent pocket 16 is precluded by pocket 16 which contains handle portion 41 when the hand bag 10 is in the condition shown in Fig. l, and by the fact that the passages are disposed adjacent the upper portions of the hand bag when carried by handle portion 41 in the condition shown in Fig. 2. In the latter condition pocket 16 also serves as additional means for precluding transfer ofitems in an undesired fashion.

The hand bag described and illustrated in the foregoing detailed description and the drawing, is what presently appears to be the preferred form of embodiment of my invention, but it is to be understood that other forms of hand bags of various sorts may be constructed in accordance with my invention without limitation except as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications or changes may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from either the spirit or the scope of the invention. Therefore, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A hand bag adapted for use as a purse and as a shopping and traveling bag, said bag comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular members joined together in registry by first and second seams along a pair of opposite parallel edges to form a tubular body having multi-ply walls joined together by said seams, one of said walls having at least a cover ply, an inter ply, and a lining ply, third and fourth seams securing the end edges of the several plies in each wall of the body together in registry annularly of the mouths of said body, a structure whereby a pocket is formed projecting laterally into said tubular body with its mouth disposed centrally of said first seam with its bottom spaced from the second seam, a fifth seam extending from the mid-point of said second seam transversely of said body toward the bottom of said lateral pocket whereby said tubular body is divided into two oppositely facing pockets and whereby a passageway adjacent said lateral pocket is left providing communication between the pockets lying on opposite sides of said fifth seam and between two adjacent body plies, said lateral pocket being adapted to normally and substantially close the communicating passageway and being movable into substantially non-obstructing relation thereto, first and second slide fastener means for respectively closing the mouth of each of said oppositely facing pockets, said fastener means extending substantially between the first and second seams, and adjacent and parallel to the third and fourth seams, respectively, a third slide fastener means parallel to and between said fifth seam and said second mouth closing fastener means and adapted for closing an aperture in the lining ply of said body intermediate said first and second seams, a fourth slide fastener means adjacent said second fastener means and adapted for closing an aperture in said inter ply of said body disposed adjacent said lining ply and between said lining ply and the cover ply of said body, said fourth fastener means being spaced farther from said fifth seam than said third fastener means, and nearer thereto than said second fastener means whereby access may be had to each pair of communicating pockets lying between said respective plies of said body wall and between said first mentioned seams, a handle loop secured to said body laterally of said lateral pocket and projecting perpendicularly to said body and adapted to be folded for storing in said lateral pocket, said handle loop having extensions which co-operate to form a decorative band encircling said body for concealing the transverse seam, said handle loop and said encircling band portion being of substantially flattened tubular cross section and having apertures closable by slide fastening means in the wall thereof facing said body to provide concealed access to storage pockets therein, said body being foldable along a line parallel to said encircling band portion, and means for securing said body in folded relation with the mouths of the oppositely facing pockets disposed in side-by-side relation whereby said means is adapted for use as a purse.

2. A hand bag comprising a Hat, tubular body having two lateral edges, structure whereby a first pocket is formed extending transversely into said body from the central portion of one lateral edge thereof, a seam extending from the center of the second lateral edge transversely toward said pocket for substantially dividing said body into two oppositely facing second and third pockets in communication adjacent said first pocket, means for closing the mouths of the second and third pockets, a flattened tubular member encircling the body and secured thereto adjacent the lateral edges of said lateral pocket with a handle loop portion adjacent the first pocket, said first pocket being adapted for receiving and storing the handle loop in concealed relation to the body, and means for securing the said body in folded condition with the mouths of the second and third pockets in like facing side by side relationship when said bag is desired for use as a purse and detachable to permit use of said bag in extended condition as a shopping or traveling bag as and when desired.

3. A hand bag comprising a flat tubular body structure whereby a first pocket is formed extending transversely into said body from the central portion of one lateral edge thereof, the plies of said body being joined together along a line extending from the center of the second lateral edge transversely toward said pocket for substantially dividing said body into two oppositely facing second and third pockets, said second and third pockets being joined by a communicating aperture adjacent said first pocket and intermediate the first lateral edge and the end of said transverse line of joinder remote from the second lateral edge, means for closing the mouths of the second and third pockets, a flattened tubular member encircling the body outwardly of and in concealing relation to said line of joinder and secured to said body adjacent the lateral edges thereof with a projecting handle loop portion adjacent the first pocket, said first pocket being adapted for receiving and storing the handle loop, and means for securing said body in folded condition with 6 the mouths of the second and third pockets in like facing side by side relationship.

4. A hand bag comprising a flat tubular body having multi-ply walls, structure whereby a first pocket is formed extending transversely into said body from the central portion of one lateral edge thereof, the plies of said body being joined together along a line extending from the center of the second lateral edge transversely toward said pocket for substantially dividing said body into two oppositely facing second and third pockets, said second and third pockets being joined by a communicating aperture adjacent said first pocket and intermediate the first lateral edge and the end of said transverse line of joinder remote from the second lateral edge, means for closing the mouths of the second and third pockets, the inner ply of said body having at least one elongate aperture therein, said aperture being parallel to the line of transverse joinder and spaced inwardly from but adjacent the mouth of said second pocket, means for closing said aperture, the ply outwardly adjacent to the inner ply having an elongate aperture therein extending substantially parallel to but spaced farther from said line of transverse joinder than the aperture in said inner ply, means for closing said aperture in said ply outwardly adjacent to the inner ply, a flattened tubular member encircling the body outwardly of and in concealing relation to said line of joinder and secured to said body adjacent the lateral edges thereof with a projecting handle loop portion adjacent the first pocket, said first pocket being adapted for receiving and storing the handle loop, and means for securing said body in folded condition with the mouths of the second and third pockets in like facing side by side relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,028,376 Banwer Jan. 21, 1936 2,620,005 Hall Dec. 2, 1952, 

